CASTLE ROCK — The mother arrested Monday for the murder of her two children called police at 7:48 a.m. to report that she was trying to commit suicide.

When asked by a police dispatcher whether there were any children in the home, the mother replied: “They are in heaven.”

When police arrived at the Founders Village home of Kelli Lynn Murphy, they found 9-year-old Liam and his sister, Madigan, 6, dead in their bedrooms. Castle Rock Police Chief Tony Lane said the bodies had no visible signs of injury.

Murphy, 41, was treated at the hospital for wounds to her wrists and arrested Monday afternoon, Lane said. She faces two counts of first-degree murder, child abuse and possibly other charges in the deaths of her children.

Police say the children’s father, Robert Eric Murphy, is not a suspect.

The last year had been a turbulent one for the couple. They filed for bankruptcy and divorce, records indicate, and Kelli Murphy got a protection order. A hearing was slated Monday to discuss a parenting schedule.

“It’s sad. I can’t believe it’s happening,” said Erika Warren, who lives across Cherry Street from the Murphy home and sometimes saw the two children playing and riding their bikes outside.

Members of the police department, the Douglas County coroner’s office and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation conducted tests at the scene Monday evening. Autopsies will determine what killed Liam and Madigan.

Police did not officially release the names of the two children, but they were named in court documents.

Castle Rock police on Sunday made a welfare check at the Murphy home at the request of Robert Murphy. But Lane would not say what happened during the visit, except that it “related to this,” meaning the deaths.

According to documents obtained by 9News, Kelli Murphy filed for a protection order at Douglas County District Court on March 3. She alleged domestic violence by her husband against her and the children. It was not clear whether Robert Murphy replied to the allegations.

The order of protection was granted but was later withdrawn.

On April 26, Kelli Murphy withdrew her request to dissolve the marriage, saying: “I do not want to divorce my husband.”

Her bid to end the proceedings — which was denied — said she had filed for divorce “wrongly, out of anger.”

“I do not want a divorce, and my husband has told me that as well. This needs to stop. We need counseling, not a divorce.”

Robert Murphy and his attorney could not be reached for comment.

A statement from the family of Kelli Murphy was issued by Todd Harker, pastor of Community Baptist Church in Franktown.

“No words can express the sadness and pain our family is experiencing. We ask that we be allowed to grieve for our loss and face this tragedy in the shelter of privacy.

“We do ask that you join us in praying for (the children’s father). We pray God would grant him all comfort and peace at this time.”

Robert Murphy’s brother, Greg Murphy, who was heading to Colorado from Seattle, said his niece and nephew “were wonderful.” Beyond that, he would say only that he hopes people could learn from such a tragedy.

The news shocked neighbors, who said they were caught off-guard by the heavy police presence and the gravity of what had happened.

Laura Visscher, who lives nearby, said the killings rocked the tight-knit neighborhood.

“We’re stunned,” she said.

The family had financial trouble in the months leading up to the killings.

The couple filed for bankruptcy last June. Robert Murphy worked for Qwest Communications and made more than $71,000 in 2009, the bankruptcy document said. But in 2010, his earnings had dipped to about $33,000.

At the time of the filing, the documents say the couple had $149 in a checking account and $50 in savings, with more than $20,000 in debt.

Both children attended Rock Ridge Elementary School, where a grief counselor spoke with staff Monday, Douglas County Schools spokesman Randy Barber said. A letter was to be sent home to parents.

Neighbor Terry Wagner said he heard police sirens and later learned that the kids were dead.

“It’s awful,” he said.

Staff writer Sara Burnett contributed to this report.

This story has been corrected in this online archive. Originally, due to a reporter’s error, a wrong name was given for Robert Murphy’s brother.

Carlos Illescas had been with The Denver Post since 1997 before leaving in June 2016. He had worked as a reporter covering the suburbs and was a weekend editor. He previously worked for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and the Aspen Daily News and graduated from Colorado State University in 1991.

Kieran Nicholson covers breaking news for The Denver Post. He started at the Post in 1986, at the old building on 15th and California streets. Nicholson has covered a variety of beats including suburbs, courts, crime and general assignment.

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